As part of its ongoing growth and expansion, Lynker is seeking a dynamic and experienced zooplankton biologist to join its team to support NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering Division.
Responsibilities
TASKS
- Analysis of chlorophyll data
- Upload chlorophyll biomass data from samples collected at sea and analyzed in the laboratory to the EcoDAAT database. Chlorophyll biomass data will be uploaded once a year after all samples from the previous year’s surveys have been analyzed.
- Review Quality Assurance/Quality Control plots to assess accuracy of laboratory fluorimeter calibrations, laboratory analyses, and chlorophyll biomass data input.
- Edit chlorophyll biomass data for input errors as necessary.
- Produce chlorophyll biomass maps & data tables and create metadata files based on chlorophyll biomass and survey station locations.
- Verification of Zooplankton Samples
- Verify the accuracy of samples processed by the Polish Plankton Sorting and Identification Center (PPSIC). This includes plankton samples collected in the eastern Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska and Arctic.
- Examine samples under a dissecting microscope to determine the accuracy of the identifications and counts supplied by the PPSIC
- Note discrepancies and retrieve pertinent taxonomic literature to assist the sorting center to correct the discrepancies.
- Follow established, standard AFSC protocols in the laboratory.
- Dissections of fish stomach contents
- Follow established AFSC stomach dissection and prey identification protocols (see Brown, A. L., Britt, L., & Clark, J. (1999). FOCI Field Manual (N. M. F. S. Alaska Fisheries Science Center NOAA, Ed.). Seattle, WA.).
- Excise stomachs for key flatfish, gadid, and forage species and prepare them for analyses. At the time of dissection, record fish length and weight.
- Enter data into an electronic database and error-check them.
- Analysis of fish stomach contents
- Enumerate the stomach contents of each fish and shall weigh prey items by taxonomic groups according to AFSC protocol. Under a dissecting microscope, identify consumed prey taxa to the lowest possible taxon and life history stage in accordance with standard laboratory protocols.
- Record prey data on NOAA-supplied forms and enter them into NOAA-supplied electronic spreadsheets.
- Error-check all entered data and shall note discrepancies according to designated protocols.
- Prepare figures, tables, and maps from the stomach data.
- Writing reports
- Contribute to writing assignments necessary for full reporting of plankton sorting and identification tasks.
- Prepare summaries of feeding and diets of zooplanktivorous fishes.
DELIVERABLES
- Processed chlorophyll data entered into EcoDAAT database
- Corrected NOAA zooplankton sorting paper forms showing the correct identity, number and/or species of
zooplankton taxa. - Data records of all fish dissected (in hardcopy and electronic form) and inventory of vials containing excised
stomachs awaiting processing. - Data from identification of fish stomach contents entered into NOAA-supplied spreadsheets. Paper and
digital forms for all samples examined. Figures, tables, or maps to summarize the data. - Text, figures, tables and reviews for contributions to the Ecosystem Considerations Chapter
- Monthly progress report to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues
encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), and recommendations, if applicable
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major directly related in a field of study as related to the requirements of specific task order with emphasis in fisheries, oceanography, or natural science plus one (1) year of experience in related field or combination of such totaling five (5) years
combined education and experience. - Demonstrated experience with zooplankton taxonomy
- Demonstrated experience with microscope work
- Excellent organizational as well as written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated experience working on at sea surveys
- Familiarity with the R programming language
- Current MS Office skills
